Laboratory Manager at Town of Jupiter – Jupiter, Florida

The purpose of this classification is to oversee the Town of Jupiter Utility’s Laboratory and its programs in accordance with regulatory guidelines. This position is responsible to monitor and maintain sampling programs and schedules, analyses and reporting in support of the drinking water and stormwater utilities. An employee in this position will be expected to maintain a high level of independent, technical judgment and ethical decision making that is vital to the integrity of the utility's water quality monitoring program. This is an exempt position.
The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, relation or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required or assigned.

Responsible for the operation, maintenance and certification of the Utility’s laboratory consistent with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), Florida Department of Health (FDOH) and National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP)

Knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of chemistry, biology and bacteriology; familiar with modern environmental laboratory operations including proper field sampling techniques and water analysis as well as the function and use of test equipment for related work

Manages the activities of the laboratory; plans, directs and schedules field sampling activities and analyses; coordinates with contract laboratories, as required, for field sampling and analysis. Reviews and updates sampling programs and monitoring requirements for compliance with applicable environmental regulations

Supervises and assigns work to subordinates; performs evaluations of employees and develops goals and objectives that are achievable; trains as required.

Oversees and assists with analysis of water samples; testing includes but is not limited to bacteriological, inorganic, organic and nutrient analyses; performs ongoing review to verify that results meet acceptance criteria and adhere to quality assurance and quality control guidelines; documents analysis results on appropriate paperwork, maintains log books and performs records maintenance

Compiles field and analytical test result data; assists with the review and preparation of reports for utility management and regulatory agencies.

Maintains inventory levels of laboratory chemicals, reagents and supplies; monitors condition of and performs maintenance on laboratory equipment including field equipment; initiates requests for new or replacement materials.

Performs periodic review of laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs) to verify adherence to FDEP, NELAP and Florida Administrative Code 62-160; updates existing or develops new SOPs as required

Provides training to staff on the proper use of field monitoring and sampling equipment, laboratory equipment, and new/revised SOPs

Assist with quality assurance activities including review of logs, records and reports for conformance with FDOH certification standards and NELAP; conducts internal and external audits and reports findings to management; makes recommendations for correction and improvement as needed

Assists with developing and maintaining a regulatory compliance program through cooperation with local, state and federal agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency, FDEP, FDOH, Palm Beach County and South Florida Water Management District

Responds to complaints and questions related to water quality issues; provides information, researches problems, and initiates problem resolution; promotes public education on water quality issues.

Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and procedures; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate.

Provides response to after-hours calls or to emergency situations according to the laboratory on-call schedule; participates in emergency operations for storm/hurricane preparation.

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in chemistry, biology, or closely related field required.
• Two (2) years of experience and/or training in laboratory operations or regulatory compliance required.
• Experience in a NELAC certified utility laboratory is preferred.
• A comparable amount of training, education, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job may be considered as a substitute for the educational requirements.
• A valid Florida driver’s license is required. For application purposes, a valid driver’s license from any state (equivalent to a State of Florida Class E) may be utilized; with the ability to obtain the State of Florida driver’s license within thirty (30) days from the date of employment.

Data Utilization: Requires the ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data. Considerable knowledge of data collection and analysis principles and procedures for program evaluation/management. Includes exercising discretion in determining data classification, and in referencing such analysis to established standards for the purpose of recognizing actual or probable interactive effects and relationships.

Communication: Requires the ability to effectively communicate with a variety of technical and non-technical individuals to coordinate activities, share knowledge, understand requirements and resolve issues. Requires the ability to speak one-on-one and in large and small groups using appropriate language, descriptive terms, technical and non-technical terms. Requires the ability to successfully work in organized and ad-hoc teams, and individually.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maintain, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions. Knowledge of modern laboratory techniques and procedures.

Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may include ability to perform mathematical operations with fractions; may include ability to compute discount, interest, profit and loss, ratio and proportion; may include ability to calculate surface areas, volumes, weights, and measures.

Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems; to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form; and to exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives. Ability to determine work priorities, direct workflow, recognize work objectives and apply time management techniques.

Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.

ADA Compliance

Physical Ability: Tasks require the regular and, at times, sustained performance of moderately physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and that may involve the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (20-50 pounds).

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors: Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, bright/dim light, toxic agents, disease, or pathogenic substances.

The Town of Jupiter, Florida, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Town will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer